Photographic material processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for processing photographic material by immersing such material in processing solution, includes a screw member which is provided with a shank having a longitudinally extending axis and with a rib projecting from the shank and helically disposed about the shank axis so as to form a series of uniformly spaced rib convolutions. The rib convolutions are adapted to hold a flexible strip of photographic material in a helical winding. A frame member of the apparatus is provided with a base which supports several processing solution tanks in fixed, aligned relation. The frame member is further provided with other structure which supports the screw member for rotation about the shank axis and for translation in a manner such that the rib convolutions depend into, and move successively through, the tanks. A screw-mating member of the apparatus is located on the frame and adapted to be received between the rib convolutions for effecting translation of the screw upon screw rotation about the shank axis.

United States Horn [ Dec. 25, 1973 Robert F. Horn, Rochester, N.Y.

[73] Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company,

Rochester, N.Y.

22 Filed: Mar. 7, 1972 21 Appl.No.:232,387

[75] Inventor:

Primary Examiner-Fred L. Braun Attorney-W. H. J. Kline et a].

[57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for processing photographic material byimmersing such material in processing solution, includes a screw memberwhich is provided with a shank having a longitudinally extending axisand with a rib projecting from the shank and helically disposed aboutthe shank axis so as to form a series of uniformly spaced ribconvolutions. The rib convolutions are adapted to hold a flexible stripof photographic material in a helical winding. A frame member of theapparatus is provided with a base which supports several processingsolution tanks in fixed, aligned relation. The frame member is furtherprovided with other structure which supports the screw member forrotation about the shank axis and for translation in a manner such thatthe rib convolutions depend into, and move successively through, thetanks. A screw-mating member of the apparatus is located on the frameand adapted to be received between the rib convolutions for effectingtranslation of the screw upon screw rotation about the shank axis.

7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED DECZ 5 I975 SHEET 2 BF 2 1PHOTOGRAPH: MATERIAL PROCESSING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.Field of the Invention The present invention relates to apparatus forprocessing strip material by fluid-treating such material and, moreparticularly, to means by which a flexible strip having a photographicsurface is guided and supported during processing treatment by a fluid.

2. Description of the Prior Art Numerous kinds of apparatus forfluid-treating photographic surfaces have heretofore been devised. Mostoften, such apparatus is intended to convert the latent image on anexposed photographic surface to a visible image. One well known versionof this apparatus, which is adapted for use with film strip material,includes a plurality of tanks each of which contain a different filmprocessing liquid such as a developing solution, a fixing solution and awashing solution. The tanks are disposed in fixed, aligned relation inorder that an exposed film strip may be advanced from tank to tank andsuccessively treated by the different processing liquids. To effect suchfilm strip advance the film processing apparatus further includesseveral groupings of vertically disposed rollers which are respectivelyimmersed in the different processing liquids, within the tanks, formoving the exposed film strip through such liquids. Other rollers arelocated between the tanks for moving the exposed film strip from tank totank. Together these rollers define a sinuous film strip advance pathwhich interconnects the tanks. Upon rotationally driving the rollers atthe same speed, the exposed film strip will be moved along the sinuouspath through the tanks and will be successively immersed in thedifferent processing liquids. Y

Such film strip processing apparatus, although widely accepted byphotofinishers, has several disadvantages. For example one disadvantageis that the rotating rollers (especially if not driven at exactly thesame speed) may scratch or mar the emulsion-bearing surface of anexposed film strip moving along the sinuous path. Another disadvantageis that the rotating rollers tend to produce a strain or mechanical loadon an exposed film strip moving along the sinuous path, so that suchfilm strip may be caused to separate at splices or joins therein.

One variation of a film strip processing apparatus which appears toavoid the foregoing disadvantages is disclosed in Great Britain Pat. No.584,556, published Jan. 17, I947. Brieflystated, this patent disclosesan endless band or carrier which is helically disposed about an annularaxis and which includes means for securing a film strip along the bandlength. The several helical convolutions that make up the bandrespectively depend into different film processing solution tanks. Aplurality of drive rollers, in contact with the band, serve to rotatethe band convolutions about the annular axis and thereby move suchconvolutions successively through the different tanks. Thus, when anexposed film strip is secured along the band length and the driverollers are actuated to rotate the band convolutions, the exposed filmstrip will be conveyed successively through the different tanks and, inthat way, will be subjected to the several stages of processing solutiontreatment such as developing, fixing and washing.

The film strip processing apparatus disclosed in Great Britain Pat. No.584,556, while appearing to represent an improvement over previouslyknown devices, has several shortcomings. One such shortcoming is thatthe endless band, due to the flexing which occurs during rotation aboutthe annular axis, may develop cracks or become separated from the driverollers. Another shortcoming is that the band may not maintain aconstant helical shape after prolonged use and, in such event, theperiods for which an exposed film strip is respectively immersed in thedifferent processing liquids may vary from those originally intended andnecessary for best processing of such film strip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, a primary object of the presentinvention is to provide apparatus for processing strip material bysuccessively exposing such material to a plurality of processing fluidsand which is improved so as to avoid the foregoing difficulties existingwith respect to those devices previously known.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus forprocessing photographic strip material by successively immersing suchmaterial in a plurality of processing solutions and which is generallyfree from the possibility of break-down after prolonged use.

A further object of the present invention is to provide photographicprocessing apparatus, including means by which a flexible strip having aphotographic surface is guided and supported during treatment by aprocessing solution and which substantially minimizes the strain ormechanical load placed on the photographic strip.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention thereis disclosed, in detail hereinafter, apparatus for processingphotographic strip material by successively immersing such material in aplurality of different processing liquids such as a developing solution,a fixing solution and a washing solution. Such apparatus includes ascrew member which is provided with a shank having a longitudinallyextending axis and with a rib projecting from the shank and helicallydisposed about the shank axis so as to form a series of uniformly spacedrib convolutions. The rib convolutions are adapted to hold a flexiblestrip of photographic material in a helical winding. A frame member ofthe apparatus is provided with a base which supports several processingsolution tanks in fixed, aligned relation. The frame member is furtherprovided with other structure which supports the screw member forrotation about the shank axis and for translation in a manner such thatthe rib convolutions depend into, and move successively through, thetanks. A screw-mating member of the apparatus is located on the frameand adapted to be received between the rib convolutions for effectingtranslation of the screw upon screw rotation about the shank axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above-memtioned and other featuresand objects of the present invention and the manner of obtaining themwill become more apparent by reference to the following detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment of such invention taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. I is a side elevation view, partly in section, ofa photographicstrip processing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention and,

cessing apparatus depicted in FIG. 1; and

. FIG. is a section view of such alternative embodiment of thephotographic strip processing apparatus, as viewed along the line 5-5 inFIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawingsand in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a flexible strip of exposedphotographic material 1, such as a 35mm film strip, and a photographicstrip processing apparatus which is generally indicated by the referencenumber 2. The photographic processing apparatus 2, as will be realizedfrom the detailed description which follows hereinafter, is adapted tosuccessively immerse the exposed film strip 1 in several differentprocessing liquids such as developing solution, a fixing solution andawashing solution. Such liquid treatment of the exposed film strip 1 isintended toconvert the latent images thereon into visible images,according to film developing practices well known in the photographicart.

As viewed in FIG. 1, the photographic processing apparatus2 includes ascrew member 3 which is provided with a cylindrical shank 4 having alongitudinally extending axis 5 and with a rib 6 or screw threadprojecting from the shank. The rib 6 is helically disposed about theshank axis 5 so as to form a series of three uniformly spaced ribconvolutions -7, 8 and 9. A channel or track 10 located along the ribconvolutions 7-9, is shaped-to receive and support the exposed filmstrip 1 in a helical winding, with an emulsion-bearing face 11 of suchwound film strip being spaced from the rib 6 as shown in FIG. 1. Tofirmly hold the film strip 1 in a helical winding along the channel 10,a plurality of pins several of which are indicated by the referencenumber 12) project from the rib convolutions 7-9 and are adapted torespectively extend through a plurality of film strip perforations(several of which are indicated by the reference number 13) to therebyengage such wound film strip. Suitable clips (not shown) or otherdevices may be used to secure opposite ends of the wound film strip 1 tothe rib convolutions 7 and 9.

As further viewed in FIG. 1, a generally U-shaped frame member 14 of thephotographic processing apparatus 2 is provided with a horizontal base15 whitch supports three processing solution tanks or stations 16, 17and 18 in fixed, aligned relation. Each of the tanks 16-18 is open atthe top so that the rib convolutions 7-9 of the screw member3 can dependinto such tanks in the manner shown by FIGS. 2 and 3. To process theexposed film strip 1, thetanks 16-18 respectively contain a developingsolution 19, a fixing solution 20 and a washing solution 21. The framemember 14 is further provided with spaced opposed verticalsupport'members 22 and 23 which, as shown in FIG. 1, project from thebase-15 and include bearings 24 and 25. Two rodlike arms-26 and 27 ofthe screw member 3 are fixed to opposite ends 'of the shank 4 and extendthrough the bearings 24 and 25. The bearings 24 and 25, in turn, thussupport or mount the screw member 3 for rotation about the shank axis 5and for translation along such axis so that the rib convolutions 7-9 canbe moved into,

and successively through, the tanks 16-18 (sec FIGS.

1 and 2).

The processing solution tanks 16-18 are partially defined by fourparallel spaced walls 28, 29, 30 and 31 which, as viewed in FIG. 1,project vertically from the frame base 15. The tank walls 28-31, ineffect, serve as screw-mating members of the photographic processingapparatus 2, in that such walls are adapted to be successively receivedbetween the rib convolutions 7-9 for bringing about the translation ofthe screw member 3 along the shank axis 5 upon screw rotation about suchaxis (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

' In operating the photographic processing apparatus 2, a handle 32,fixed to the screw arm 27, is rotated about the shank axis 5 in aclockwise directiongenerally indicated by the arrow 33 in FIG. 1. Thus,the screw member 3 will be similarly rotated, and in response thereto,will be translated along the shank axis 5 in a direction generallyindicated by the arrow 34 in FIG. 1. Accordingly, as can be appreciatedfrom FIGS.

. 1 and 2, the rib convolutions 7-9 and the exposed film strip 1 will bemoved successively throughthe developing solution 19, the fixingsolution 20 and the washing solution 21 so as to process such filmstrip. As can be realized from FIGS. 2 and 3,.curved edge segments, 35,36, 37 and 38 respectively of the tank walls 28-31 serve to provideadditional vertical support for the shank 4 as the rib convolutions 7-9and the film strip 1 are moved successivelythrough the processingsolution tanks 16-18. After processing of the film strip 1 in theforegoing manner, the film strip can be removed from the ribconvolutions 7-9 and then placed in a drying device (now shown).Alternatively, a drying device may be mounted on the frame base 15 at alocation to the left of the washing solution tank 18 as viewed in FIG.2. The rib convolutions 7-9 and the film strip 1 would then be movedinto such drying device upon exiting from the washing solution tank 18.

Referring now toFIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a modified version 39 ofthe photographic processing apparatus 2 just described. Those elementsof the modified apparatus 39, which are identical in function andstructure to elements of the first described apparatus 2, are indicatedby the same reference numbers. As viewed in FIG. 4, the screw member 3of the modified apparatus 39 is provided with nine rib convolutions 40,41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 and 48 which are uniformly spaced along theshank 4. Moreover, the vertical support member 23 which projects fromthe frame base 15 includes an opening 49 through which the screw member3 extends. An internal screw thread, located in the opening 49, isdefined by a projecting helical rib 50. The projecting rib 50 is adaptedto be successively received between the rib convolutions 40-48 uponrotation of the screw member 3 about the shank axis 5. Thus, theprojecting rib 50, in the modified apparatus 39, serves to effecttranslation of the screw member 3 along the shank axis 5 upon screwrotation about such axis.

In operating the modified apparatus 39, the handle 32 is rotated in aclockwise direction, generally indicated by the arrow 33 in FIG. 4, soas to similarly rotate the screw member 3. In response to such rotation,the screw member 3 is translated along the shank axis 5 in a directiongenerally indicated by the arrow 34, in FIG, 4, and the rib convolutions40-42. together with the exposed film strip 1 are moved successivelythrough the developing solution 19, the fixing solution and the washingsolution 21 to thereby process such film strip. As shown in FIGS. 4 and5, the processing solution tanks 16-18 are partially defined by tankwalls 51, 52, 53 and 54. These tank walls 51-54 differ from the tankwalls 28-31, shown in FIGS. 1-3, in that the first mentioned tank wallsare not adapted to effect translation of the screw-member 3 along theshank axis 5 upon screw rotation about such axis.

Thus, there has been illustrated and described a film strip processingapparatus consisting essentially of two separate components, i.e., thescrew member 3 and the frame member 14, the first of which is movablewith respect to the other. Such a film processing apparatus hasimportant advantages in that the moving parts thereof are kept to aminimum and very little strain or mechanical load is placed'on theexposed film strip 1 while such film strip undergoes liquid-treatment.

It will be appreciated that although such processing apparatus has beendescribed for use with the film strip 1, the processing apparatus can bemodified to provide fluid-treatment for other kinds of web material.Moreover, although the processing apparatus has been illustrated with adeveloping solution tank 16, a fixing solution tank 17 and a washingsolution tank 18, the number and contents of these tanks may be varied.

The present invention has been described in detail with particularreference to preferred and alternate embodiments thereof, but it will beunderstood that variations and modifications can be effected within thespirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for processing strip material by successively exposingsuch material to a plurality of processing fluids, the combinationcomprising:

a screw member including:

a. a shank having a longitudinally extending axis;

b. means defining a screw thread helically disposed about said shankaxis; and

c. means for supporting strip material on said screw member in a helicalwinding about said shank axis,

means defining a plurality of processing stations respectively at whichstrip material supported on said screw member is exposed to a pluralityof processing fluids;

means mounting said processing stations and said screw member, forrelative rotation therebetween about said shank axis, and for relativemovement therebetween along said shank axis in a manner so that suchsupported strip material is successively received in said processingstations; and

means, cooperating with said screw thread upon said relative rotationbetween said processing stations and said screw member, for effectingsaid relative movement between said processing stations and said screwmember.

2. In apparatus for processing strip material by successively exposingsuch material to a plurality of processing fluids, the combinationcomprising:

a screw member including:

a. a shank having a longitudinally extending axis;

b. a rib projecting from said shank and helically disposed about saidshank' axis so as to form a series of spaced rib convolutions; and

c. means for supporting strip material on said screw member in a helicalwinding about said shank axis,

means defining a plurality of processing stations disposed in an alignedarrangement and respectively at which strip material supported on saidscrew member is exposed to a plurality of processing fluids;

means mounting said processing stations in fixed relation and mountingsaid screw member for rotation about said shank axis and for translationin a manner so that such supported strip material is successively movedthrough said processing stations; and

means, adapted to be received between said rib convolutions, foreffecting translation of said screw member upon rotation thereof aboutsaid shank axis so that such supported strip material is successivelymoved through said processing stations.

3. In apparatus for processing photographic strip material bysuccessively immersing such material in a plurality of processingsolutions, the combination comprising:

a screw member including:

a. a shank having a longitudinally extending axis;

b. a rib projecting from said shank-and helically disposed about saidshank axis so as to form a series of uniformly spaced rib convolutions;and

0. means located along said rib convolutions for holding photographicstrip material in a helical winding about said shank axis,

a plurality of processing solution containers disposed in an alignedarrangement and each having an ingress and egress opening for said ribconvolutions;

means supporting said processing solution containers in fixed relationand supporting said screw member for rotation about said shank axis andfor translation of said rib convolutions successively through saidprocessing solution containers; and

means located on said supporting means and adapted to be receivedbetween said rib convolutions for effecting translation thereofsuccessively through said processing solution containers upon rotationof said screw member about said shank axis.

4. The combination as recited in claim 3 wherein said holding meansincludes;

means defining a helical channel located along said rib convolutions forreceiving photographic strip material.

5. The combination as recited in claim 4 wherein said translationeffecting means includes:

- means defining an opening in said supporting means for receiving saidscrew member; and

a helical rib projecting from said opening defining means and adapted tobe received between said rib convolutions of said screw member.

6. The combination as recited in claim 3 wherein said translationeffecting means includes:

a plurality of wall members respectively projecting from locationsinterjacent said processing solution containers and adapted to bereceived between said rib convolutions of said screw member.

7 7 ln apparatus for processing photographic strip material of the kindprovided with an emulsion'bearing face, the combination comprising:

a screw member including:

a. a generally cylindrical shank having a longitudinally extending axis;

b. a rib projecting from said shank and helically disposed about saidshank axis so as to form a series of uniformly spaced rib convolutions;and

c. means located along said rib convolutions for holding suchphotographic strip material in a helical winding about said shank axis,with the emulsion-bearing face being spaced from said rib,

a plurality of different processing solution containers disposed in analigned arrangement and each having an ingress and egress opening forsaid rib conthereof about said shank axis.

1. In apparatus for processing strip material by successively exposingsuch material to a plurality of processing fluids, the combinationcomprising: a screw member including: a. a shank having a longitudinallyextending axis; b. means defining a screw thread helically disposedabout said shank axis; and c. means for supporting strip material onsaid screw member in a helical winding about said shank axis, meansdefining a plurality of processing stations respectively at which stripmaterial supported on said screw member is exposed to a plurality ofprocessing fluids; means mounting said processing stations and saidscrew member, for relative rotation therebetween about said shank axis,and for relative movement therebetween along said shank axis in a mannerso that such supported strip material is successively received in saidprocessing stations; and means, cooperating with said screw thread uponsaid relative rotation between said processing stations and said screwmember, for effecting said relative movement between said processingstations and said screw member.
 2. In apparatus for processing stripmaterial by successively exposing such material to a plurality ofprocessing fluids, the combination comprising: a screw member including:a. a shank having a longitudinally extending axis; b. a rib projectingfrom said shank and helically disposed about said shank axis so as toform a series of spaced rib convolutions; and c. means for supportingstrip material on said screw member in a helical winding about saidshank axis, means defining a plurality of processing stations disposedin an aligned arrangement and respectively at which strip materialsupported on said screw member is exposed to a plurality of processingfluids; means mounting said processing stations in fixed relation andmounting said screw member for rotation about said shank axis and fortranslation in a manner so that such supported strip material issuccessively moved through said processing stations; and means, adaptedto be received between said rib convolutions, for effecting translationof said screw member upon rotation thereof about said shank axis so thatsuch supported strip material is successively moved through saidprocessing stations.
 3. In apparatus for processing photographic stripmaterial by successively immersing such material in a plurality ofprocessing solutions, the combination comprising: a screw memberincluding: a. a shank having a longitudinally extending axis; b. a ribprojecting from said shank and helically disposed about said shank axisso as to form a series of uniformly spaced rib convolutions; and c.means located along said rib convolutions for holding photographic stripmaterial in a helical winding about said shank axis, A plurality ofprocessing solution containers disposed in an aligned arrangement andeach having an ingress and egress opening for said rib convolutions;means supporting said processing solution containers in fixed relationand supporting said screw member for rotation about said shank axis andfor translation of said rib convolutions successively through saidprocessing solution containers; and means located on said supportingmeans and adapted to be received between said rib convolutions foreffecting translation thereof successively through said processingsolution containers upon rotation of said screw member about said shankaxis.
 4. The combination as recited in claim 3 wherein said holdingmeans includes; means defining a helical channel located along said ribconvolutions for receiving photographic strip material.
 5. Thecombination as recited in claim 4 wherein said translation effectingmeans includes: means defining an opening in said supporting means forreceiving said screw member; and a helical rib projecting from saidopening defining means and adapted to be received between said ribconvolutions of said screw member.
 6. The combination as recited inclaim 3 wherein said translation effecting means includes: a pluralityof wall members respectively projecting from locations interjacent saidprocessing solution containers and adapted to be received between saidrib convolutions of said screw member.
 7. In apparatus for processingphotographic strip material of the kind provided with anemulsion-bearing face, the combination comprising: a screw memberincluding: a. a generally cylindrical shank having a longitudinallyextending axis; b. a rib projecting from said shank and helicallydisposed about said shank axis so as to form a series of uniformlyspaced rib convolutions; and c. means located along said ribconvolutions for holding such photographic strip material in a helicalwinding about said shank axis, with the emulsion-bearing face beingspaced from said rib, a plurality of different processing solutioncontainers disposed in an aligned arrangement and each having an ingressand egress opening for said rib convolutions; a frame including: a. agenerally horizontal base which supports said different processingsolution containers in fixed relation; and b. several generally verticalsupport members projecting from said base and respectively havingbearings which support said screw member for rotation about said shankaxis and for translation in a manner such that said rib convolutionsdepend into, and more successively through, said different processingsolution containers, and means located on said frame and adapted to bereceived between said rib convolutions for effecting translation of saidscrew member upon rotation thereof about said shank axis.